Breck opens for the 2016/17 season on November 11, a day not to be missed.
Opening day is "the only day that rivals Christmas for us," according to resort officials, "and we make sure to start the season in-style."
Our main recommendation is to look for an event called "Wake Up Breckenridge," held at different locations in town at daybreak the day before opening day. The event is aptly named as it usually starts super early, like 7 a.m., saying ski season is here which means on any given day you can now "wake up" early and enjoy the crisp morning air with, on of the best things do to in Breckenridge, CO, some turns on the mountain.
Breck officials describe "Wake Up Breckenridge" as a way for them to say thanks to the community for the hospitality it shows to guests all season long. But it's also a way for guests to enjoy the community, as there's lots to celebrate with the season getting underway.
This year's Wake Up Breck will be the 14th Annual, and Breckenridge Ski Resort will hand out free commemorative coffee mugs and will buy you a free cup of coffee to get you and the town ready for ski season.
Mugs are available while supplies last, they usually give out 1,500 or so.
It's an event not to be missed.
Following Opening Day, the next big event of the season is the Hartford Ski Spectacular, which will take place November 27, 2016 - December 04, 2016 on Peak 9. Now in its 29th year, the Hartford Ski Spectacular is, as described on Breckenridge.com, "The nation’s largest winter sports festival for people with physical disabilities. With more than 800 registered participants annually, this week-long event includes learn-to-ski and race programs, youth development camps and corporate races. The event is conducted by Disabled Sports USA (DS/USA), a provider of sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with permanent disabilities since 1967."
The Hartford Ski Spectacular says its goal is to strengthen and expand adaptive snow sports programs in communities throughout the U.S. and helps identify and train youth, wounded warriors, and others with disabilities who strive to be winter Paralympians. A week of ski and snowboard race training prepares athletes for national and international competitions.
Disabled Sports USA says this year the programming at Breck will include learn to ski and snowboard lessons, a week-long race camp, Level I Race (Ski Spec Challenge Race), nordic skiing, free clinics (in nordic skiing, biathlon, curling, and sled hockey), PSIA National Adaptive Academy for Instructors, banquets, and other social/networking events. The title sponsor of the event is The Hartford Financial Services Group.
It's a really fun event to enjoy as a volunteer. You can help with Curling and Sled Hockey, or get out on the race course, you can be Ski and Snowboard Instructor, or you can help with lunch and Social Events or Special Guest Orientation and Continued Education Assistance, transportation, administration and more. To get involved, visit https://skispec.org/register/volunteers/.
